Artist Invites Subjects Into His Living Backyard Portrait
Despite the summer heat, it is cool back here in the little wood. The curving limbs of ancient trees are nature’s sculptures, and the sound of running water from a waterfall and creek are the music, with solos from the birds. On a small still pond, each bloom on the water lilies is a work of art. And no set designer could improve on the lighting. Tread softly along a mossy path and you come to a clearing where you half expect to find fairies dancing in the dappled sunlight.
The surprise is that this idyllic spot is only yards from heavily trafficked streets, a high school and post office, car dealerships and banks - right here in Wilmington, steps away from Oleander Drive.
Jim Freeman, whose company does mostly commercial landscaping, said, “It was such a unique challenge, in really a confined space, to try to bring together so many different elements. But it was enjoyable to work with someone who really wanted to do something of that magnitude in their backyard. It was interesting and there was a lot of creativity there.”
On the edge of the wood, a charming playhouse (”which I won in a raffle,” Kenny said) is popular with the kids. The bridge and gazebo, the latter draped in Confederate jasmine, make romantic settings, especially for brides. “We overseed our lawn with rye (in winter) so the grass is always green, and many of the trees are evergreens, so we can use the garden most of the year,” said Kenny, who prefers to use natural light whenever possible.
Tags: ancient trees, brides, car dealerships, confederate jasmine, dappled sunlight, gazebo, grass, greens, idyllic spot, jim freeman, Landscaping, mossy path, office car, playhouse, romantic settings, running water, sculptures, still pond, summer heat, water lilies, waterfall, work of art0
